Its been a cool and damp December, ideal weather for observing birds, but not the best light for photographing them. But the new camera can handle low light (high ISO) so much better, so here are a few sample shots...

First an "up close and personal" face shot of one of my educational "tools" - Mrs. Barred Owl (one of our captive, non-releasable raptors). Taken with the old A 35-105, which sure seems to work will with the new camera...

Carolina Chickadees are abundant here in East Tennessee year-round. The tricky part is to catch one being still for more than a second! In the warmer seasons they subsist almost entirely on tiny insects, but in winter they switch to a more "seedy" diet.

Chickadees in winter join mixed flocks of other small birds. The "teams" of different species means a measure of safety from predators. Here's another species often found in the mixed flocks, a Tufted Titmouse. This one was posing on the "hand" of a bird-feeder (set up by another Park Ranger) to allow park visitors the chance to feed birds by hand!

Kingfishers are not the only fish-eating birds here in December. Our region is home to plenty of Great Blue Herons, year-round. And the herons let you get pretty close, as long as you stalk in slowly...

Of course, I have to include our Tennessee State Bird in this tour of "Tennessee birdland." Mockingbirds are bold and abundant here year-round. And they are very vigorous in defending their winter berry thickets!